Modular article carrying system

ABSTRACT

A carrying system made up of at least two article carriers and straps that interconnect the two article carriers in a saddle bag fashion or alternatively a single carrier with two back pack straps or a single carrier with a narrower single shoulder strap. The strap configurations are removably attached to the carriers through a common interface that is accessible, convenient to lock and unlock and eliminates the danger of dangling unused strap or straps that are incorrectly attached. Provisions are made for carrying computers, hand held electronic devices, passports, writing supplies outer clothing, umbrellas, newspapers, magazines. Other provisions of a preferred embodiment include leather construction, reinforced corners and flaps, collapsing side panels, insignia, leather straps and buckles and all built on the aesthetic of the Western United States saddlebag motif.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the area of article carriers for general use and provides for the carrying of article carriers in pairs either in the hand or over the shoulder of the user or for carrying a single article carrier either over one shoulder or both shoulders back pack style.

One need of an office worker while traveling by air is to carry their brief case and computer case simultaneously with one hand while the other hand is free to access travel documents, hand held electronics, change, outer clothing, umbrella or reading materials. Another need is to be able to comfortably toss the bags over a shoulder for short periods when both hands are needed for other tasks.

The same office worker when traveling to work may be in a more physically demanding environment over a longer period for instance while biking or walking. They may wish to carry their business papers or computer and also have ready access to hand held electronics, change, protective clothing or umbrella.

The same office worker when walking from meeting to meeting or building to building may wish to carry either their business papers or computer in their hand or over one shoulder without the weight of two carriers or having to strap into full back pack type straps over their business attire.

Various article carriers have been described in the patent literature, for example:

The US Patent granted to Osamu, Des. 234,326, discloses a carrying bag made up of two bags connected by a wide saddlebag strap presumably for carrying over a saddle, vehicle or shoulder having two openings in the strap that form a handle for carrying by hand when the strap is folded back upon itself.

The US Patent granted to Marshall, U.S. Pat. No. 340,339, discloses two bags removably connected to each other by a single wide strap in saddlebag fashion that converts to a hand trunk (suitcase) with the removal of the strap and juxtaposition of the two bags each having handles protruding from their top surfaces.

The US Patent granted to Lee, U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,713, discloses two bags removably connected to each other that are carried in juxtaposition or separately by a single removable shoulder strap.

The US Patent granted to Osamu, Des. 234,326, discloses a carrying bag made up of two bags connected by a wide saddlebag strap presumably for carrying over a saddle, vehicle the shoulder having two openings in the strap that form a handle for carrying by hand when the strap is folded back upon itself.

The US Patent granted to Haslam, U.S. Pat. No. 4,153,092, discloses a convertible hand bag that through a series of straps can interconnect two handbags, either bag being carried separately in one hand, over one shoulder or with two straps in back pack fashion.

None of the aforementioned patents taken either singly or in combination is considered to describe the instant invention as claimed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a modular carrier system that can be adapted to carrying articles on a person, vehicle or animal.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide at least one carrier module that is particularly adapted to carrying a computer, accessories and supplies and facilitating their use outside of the office.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide at least one carrier module that is particularly adapted to carrying office papers and writing supplies and facilitating their use outside of the office,

It is a further objective of the present invention to connect two carriers with a contoured saddle bag strap incorporating a pocket for travel documents, and adaptations for carrying cell phones and other hand held electronics.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a back pack style, single contoured shoulder strap that engages both shoulders with ancillary straps for attachment to the lower part of the carriers in back pack fashion. The single contoured strap also incorporating adaptations for carrying cell phones and other hand held electronics.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a single shoulder strap that engages one shoulder that is light and easily stowed.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a carrier system that aesthetically implements functional components consistent with aesthetic saddlebag design of a traditional Western United States motif.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a means of carrying a computer, electronic device or medium in a reduced static compartment that is accessible without opening the main compartment of the computer case.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide carriers with provisions for carrying items such as umbrellas, protective clothing, news papers and magazines on the outside of the carriers, briefcase or computer case for ready access by the user.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide straps that are optimized for a single mode of carrying and removed when straps for an alternate mode of carrying are in use for purposes of reducing the hazards of dangling straps and the weight of unused straps.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide an interface between carrier modules and strap modules to facilitate ease of changing the carrying arrangement depending on the carrying needs of the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the modules of the preferred embodiment of the modular article carrying system;

FIG. 2 a-d shows the two part fastener system that attaches the modules of the preferred embodiment of the modular article carrying system;

FIG. 3 a-c shows details of the saddlebag strap module, the carrier modules joined by the saddlebag strap module and the carrier assembly including carrier modules joined by the saddlebag strap module of the preferred embodiment of the modular article carrying system;

FIG. 4 a-d shows features of the backpack strap module, the backpack strap module joined to a carrier module, partial attachment of the backpack strap module and completion of the attachment of the backpack strap module to the carrier module of the preferred embodiment of the modular article carrying system;

FIG. 5 a-c shows details of the single shoulder strap module, a carrier module and a carrier assembly including a carrier joined to the single shoulder strap module of the preferred embodiment of the modular article, carrying system;

FIG. 6 shows the exterior construction details and the detachable divider of the briefcase module of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows the exterior construction details and the computer compartment of the computer case module of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows additional external details of the briefcase and computer case modules of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates the major modules that make up the modular article carrying system of the present invention which comprises two article carrier modules 1 and 2 and strap modules 3, 4, or 5, all modules 1 through 5, having a common attachment interface made up of fastener parts 20 or 23 for interconnecting the modules.

The preferred embodiment of the modular article carrier system FIG. 1 is referred to as a saddlebag briefcase system. The primary article carrier module of the preferred embodiment comprises a briefcase 1, the second primary article carrier module of the preferred embodiment is a computer case 2, in addition to a saddlebag strap module 3, a back pack strap module 4 and a single shoulder strap module 5. All modules 1 through 5, having a common attachment interface made up of fastener parts 20 or 23 for interconnecting the modules.

FIG. 2, illustrates a two part fastener system of the preferred embodiment of the present invention that interconnects the modules 1 through 5.

FIG. 2( a) illustrates the protruding fastener part 20 where the protrusion 21, is shaded in black and protrudes in a direction pointed out of the surface of the paper from base 22.

FIG. 2 b illustrates an orifice fastener part 23 with a circular base 25 having a rectangular aperture 24.

FIG. 2 c illustrates the protrusion 21 shaded in black, being positioned to line up with the aperture 24 followed by the protrusion 21 being inserted into the aperture 24.

FIG. 2 d illustrates the protrusion 21 being rotated ninety degrees from the position of FIG. 2 a. The relative positions of protrusion 21 and aperture 24 shown in FIG. 2 d prevents the protrusion 21 from being disengaged from the aperture 24 thus fastening together anything attached to the base 22 and circular base 25.

To separate anything attached to the base 22 and circular base 25, the protrusion 21 must be separated from the aperture 24 by returning the protrusion to the position of FIG. 2 c.

It is recognized that one of ordinary skill could devise alternate fastening systems. Alterative fastening systems in combination with the claimed structure of the present invention would be considered to be within the scope, spirit and within the meets and bounds of the present invention.

FIG. 3 a illustrates the features of the saddlebag strap module 3 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Protruding fastener parts 20 are positioned on opposite edges of the shaped saddlebag strap 3. A pocket for carrying travel documents 32 and a position or positions 31 adapted for attachment of cell-phones or other hand held electronics are also provided. Openings 30 become a hand hold for transporting the assembly illustrated in FIG. 3 c in one hand with the saddlebag strap module folded between the openings 30 and the briefcase module 1 and computer case module 2 hanging freely therefrom.

FIG. 3 b illustrates briefcase module 1 and computer case module 2 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention having orifice fastener parts 23 positioned along the respective upper edges.

FIG. 3 c illustrates the assembly of the saddlebag strap module 3 to the briefcase module 1 and computer case module 2 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention using the fastening steps of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 a-d illustrates the assembly of the back pack strap module to the briefcase module 1 of the preferred embodiment of the instant invention.

FIG. 4 a illustrates the features of backpack strap module 4 having a shaped strap 40 adapted to engage both shoulders of the user. Position or positions 41 adapted for attachment of cell-phones or other hand held electronics are also provided. Adjustable straps 43 having length adjustment means 44 are attached to shaped strap 40 by suitable means at position 42.

FIG. 4 b illustrates the assembly of the back pack strap module 4 to the briefcase module 1 using the fastening steps of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 4 c and 4 d illustrate attachment of the bottom end of the adjustable straps 43 of the back pack strap module 4 to the bottom corners of the briefcase module 1 by means snap hook fasteners 46.

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b illustrates the features of the single shoulder strap module 5 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Protruding fastener parts 20 are positioned on opposite edges of the single shoulder strap 5. Orifice fastener parts 23 are also located along the top edge of briefcase module 1.

FIG. 5 c illustrates the assembly of the single shoulder strap module 5 to the briefcase module 1 using the fastening steps of FIG. 2.

Computer case module 2 would be assembled to any of the three strap modules 3, 4 and 5 in exactly the same manner that briefcase module 1 is so assembled in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.

FIGS. 6-8 illustrate the exterior construction details of the briefcase module 1 and the computer case module 2 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. A front panel 60 a rear panel and flap 61 having handle 67, the two side and bottom gusseted panels 62 in conjunction with attachment panel 66 form the exterior structure of the briefcase module 1 and the computer case module 2. The lower corners of the front panel are reinforced with stiffeners 63, the distal end of the flap 61 is also reinforced with stiffener 64. The flap 61 is held closed with two strap and buckle assemblies 65. The attachment straps 73 and 74 are attached to the flap 61 through grommets 71 of FIG. 7. The bottom strap 73 has a through slit allowing top strap 74 to pass through.

FIG. 7 shows the top and bottom attachment straps engaged to fasten a cylindrical object 72 to the front of the flap 61. Cylindrical object 72 represents for example a newspaper, umbrella or protective clothing.

FIG. 8 illustrates a pocket 81 provided on the attachment panel of the cases as well as the edge ribbing 82 that covers all of the exterior edges of the case modules 1 and 2 as well as the strap modules 3-5. Pocket 81 is provided to carry reading material for ready access while the user is in transit.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention is constructed in the manner of saddlebags of the traditional Western United States motif. The case modules 1 and 2 as well as the strap modules 3-5 are made of leather that is sewn together. The stiffeners 63 and 64 and decorative pieces like the medallion 68 are of tooled leather differing in color or texture with the leather of the panel to which they are attached and may also be embossed with decorative designs, nomenclature, symbols or emblems.

FIG. 6 also illustrates a detachable divider 90 that is provided with the briefcase of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The divider has a zipper compartment 91, pencil holder 92 and an additional flap covered pocket 93. The detachable divider 90 may be removably attached any suitable surface on the interior of the briefcase module 1 or computer case module 2.

FIG. 7 also illustrates features of the computer case 2, a compartment providing reduced static electricity hazard 75 for electronic equipment 77 is provided and accessible from the outside of the computer case 2 through an opening with any suitable closure 76 for example a zipper is shown. A material treated to reduce the static electricity generated by relative motion of other materials in close proximity provides the reduction in electrical hazard of the present invention.

Included in the scope of the present invention are modular carrier systems including but not limited to alterative aesthetics, features, materials, colors, nomenclature and symbols adapted for carrying equipment or supplies associated with but not limited to racket sports, skating, sports boards, skis, weapons, carrying perishables, rods, reels, tools, medical articles, shock and vibration sensitive articles, navigational, communications articles for example or any combination thereof.

All possible embodiments or materials according to the present invention are not shown in this teaching. However various features from different embodiments may be mixed or matched representing the spirit of the invention. Accordingly the scope of the invention should be determined by embodiments and modules illustrated in addition to the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 

1. A modular article carrying system comprising: One or more article carrying modules, a single strap for carrying a plurality of article carrying modules, a strap engaging a single shoulder for carrying a single article carrying module, a strap arrangement engaging two shoulders for carrying the single article carrying module;
 2. The modular article carrying system of claim 1 further comprising: wherein, the one or more article carrying modules each having an integral handle for support in a users hand;
 3. The modular article carrying system of claim 1 further comprising: wherein, the single strap for carrying the plurality of article modules has a plurality of openings for support in a users hand;
 4. The modular article carrying system of claim 1 further comprising: wherein, the single strap for carrying the plurality of articles, the strap arrangement engaging two shoulders for carrying the single article carrying module and the single shoulder strap are all detachable from the one or more carrying modules;
 5. The modular article carrying system of claim 1 further comprising: wherein, the one or more article carrying modules each having an integral handle for support in a users hand; wherein, the single strap for carrying the plurality of article modules has a plurality of openings for support in a users hand,
 6. The modular article carrying system of claim 1 further comprising: wherein, the one or more article carrying modules each having an, integral handle for support in a users hand, wherein, the single strap for carrying a plurality of articles, the strap arrangement engaging two shoulders for carrying the single article carrying module; single shoulder strap are all detachable from the one or more carrying modules;
 7. The modular article carrying system of claim 1 further comprising: wherein, the single strap for carrying the plurality of article modules has a plurality of openings for support in a users hand, wherein, the single strap for carrying a plurality of articles, the strap arrangement engaging two shoulders for carrying the single article carrying module; single shoulder strap are all detachable from the one or more carrying modules;
 8. The modular article carrying system of claim 1 further comprising: wherein, the one or more article carrying modules each having an integral handle for support in a users hand, wherein, the single strap for carrying a plurality of article modules has a plurality of openings for support in a users hand, wherein, the single strap for carrying a plurality of articles, the strap arrangement engaging two shoulders for carrying the single article carrying module; single shoulder strap are all detachable from the one or more carrying modules;
 9. A strap for an article carrying system comprising: one or more ends for attachment to an article carrying module, one or more additional attachment means,
 10. The strap for an article carrying system of claim
 9. further comprising: where the one or more ends for attachment to an article carrying module provides positive attachment that is prevented from rotation between the strap and the module;
 11. The strap for an article carrying system of claim
 9. further comprising: wherein the one or more additional attachment means is one of a pocket, an opening to accept a clip on article;
 12. The strap for an article carrying system of claim 9, further comprising: where the one or more ends for attachment to an article carrying module provides positive attachment that is prevented from rotation between the strap and the module, wherein the one or more additional attachment means is one of a pocket, an opening to accept a clip on article;
 13. The article carrier for an article carrying system comprising: Adaptation for organizing articles inside of the article carrier module, Adaptation for organizing articles outside of the article carrier module;
 14. The article carrier for the article carrying system of claim 10, further comprising: Wherein the adaptation for organizing articles inside of the article carrier module consists of a detachable module providing a plurality organizing elements from the list of a open pocket, closed pocket, individual pencil sleeves,
 15. The article carrier for the article carrying system of claim 10, further comprising: Wherein the adaptation for organizing articles outside of the article carrier module consists of one or more straps adapted to carry a publication, umbrella or protective clothing;
 16. The article carrier for the article carrying system of claim 10, further comprising: Wherein the adaptation for organizing articles inside of the article carrier module consists of a compartment accessible to the outside without opening the entire enclosure;
 17. The article carrier for the article carrying system of claim 10, further comprising: Wherein the adaptation for organizing articles inside of the article carrier module consists of a compartment accessible to the outside through either of two openings without opening the entire enclosure;
 18. The article carrier for the article carrying system of claim 10, further comprising: Wherein the adaptation for organizing articles inside of the enclosure consists of a compartment for reducing a static charge on articles carried therein;
 19. A modular article carrying system comprising: a plurality of article carrying modules, a saddlebag strap for carrying a plurality of article carrying modules, a single shoulder strap for carrying a single article carrying module, an two shoulder back pack straps for carrying a single article carrying module, stiffeners on the lower corners of the front of the carriers, a stiffener on the distal end of the flap of the carriers, carrier straps for carrying protective clothing or newspapers, an exterior pocket for carrying periodicals, adaptations for carrying of hand held electronics on the exterior of at least one system module,
 20. A modular article carrying system comprising: One or more article carrying modules, a saddlebag strap for carrying a plurality of article carrying modules, a strap engaging a single shoulder for carrying a single article carrying module, a strap arrangement engaging two shoulders for carrying a single article carrying module; wherein, the one or more article carrying modules each having an integral handle for support in a users hand, wherein, the saddlebag strap for carrying a plurality of article modules has a plurality of openings for support in a users hand, wherein, the saddlebag strap, single shoulder strap and two shoulder strap are all detachable from the one or more carrying modules; Adapted for organizing articles inside of the article carrier module, Adapted for organizing articles outside of the article carrier module; Wherein the adaptation for organizing articles inside of the article carrier module consists of a detachable module providing a plurality organizing elements from the list of a open pocket, closed pocket, individual pencil sleeves, mirror, an opening to accept a clip on article; Wherein the adaptation for organizing articles outside of the article carrier module consists of one or more straps adapted to carry a publication, umbrella or protective clothing; Wherein the adaptation for organizing articles inside of the article carrier module consists of a compartment accessible to the outside without opening the entire enclosure; Wherein the adaptation for organizing articles inside of the article carrier module consists of a compartment for reducing a static charge on articles carried therein; 